Starbucks baristas in New York City are the latest to file a lawsuit alleging the coffee house chain improperly shared their tips with shift supervisors.

The lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan claims Starbucks Corp. owes at least $5 million to more than 2,000 workers. It is among several similar actions brought on behalf of Starbucks employees around the nation.

Starbucks says its policy allows hourly employees - including shift supervisors but not store managers - to share tips. The company says it does not believe customers differentiate between the shift supervisors and other hourly workers because they provide the same customer service.

Starbucks is appealing a judge's ruling in California that says the company owes baristas there $100 million. Starbucks says it will vigorously fight what it calls copycat lawsuits.